Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2021
Media Contacts:
|
Emily Daunt
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (517) 377-3933 |
Leslie Pardo
Marx Layne & Company (248) 563-7213 |
MRLA Educational Foundation to Bring HOPES Reentry Program to Michigan, Train Justice-Involved Individuals for Careers in the Restaurant Industry
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation to use $4 million in Awards from Department of Labor to Expand HOPES to Delaware, Michigan, Ohio and Texas
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation to use $4 million in Awards from Department of Labor to Expand HOPES to Delaware, Michigan, Ohio and Texas
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) announced today that it is partnering with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) to bring the HOPES (Hospitality Opportunities for People (re)Entering Society) program to Michigan. NRAEF was awarded $4 million toward the program and will use the funds to launch HOPES in four states – Delaware, Michigan, Ohio and Texas. HOPES is a job skills program that trains and prepares justice-involved individuals for jobs and careers in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industries. The MRLA will be working with Peckham Inc., Operational Able, Spectrum Services and SVRC Industries, Inc. to launch the HOPES program.
“We are honored to play a role in bringing the HOPES program to communities in Michigan to both create a pathway for justice involved individuals into an industry that can become a lifelong career and provide solutions to restaurants and hotels facing a statewide workforce shortage,” said Justin Winslow, President & CEO of the MRLA.
The unemployment rate for individuals leaving the justice system is 5 times the national average. Programs like HOPES provide skills training, mentoring and job placement services to justice involved individuals, enabling them to re-enter society and build a pathway to financial stability and independence.
“The hospitality industry is known for being a first job opportunity and offering second chances to people from all backgrounds. With more than 30,000 industry job openings currently in Michigan, the HOPES program providing training and employment opportunities to justice-involved individuals is a viable way to support communities while helping operators hire,” said Amanda Smith, Executive Director of MRLA Educational Foundation. “Our partnership with the NRAEF allows us to bring life-changing programs like HOPES to Michigan.”
HOPES partners with Departments of Corrections, community-based organizations, state restaurant associations and workforce entities as part of a community collaborative model. These partner organizations provide case management services and industry-recognized credentials utilizing an NRAEF training framework focused on the competencies needed to enter the restaurant and hospitality industry.
HOPES partners with interested individuals at participating correctional facilities, as well as after release and during parole. Once a HOPES participant completes training, the individual will be placed in a local restaurant or foodservice position and receive follow-up support for one year. Hospitality apprenticeships are also available to participants.
HOPES is 100% funded through a $4 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. This announcement was created by MRLA and NRAEF and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership.
“We are honored to play a role in bringing the HOPES program to communities in Michigan to both create a pathway for justice involved individuals into an industry that can become a lifelong career and provide solutions to restaurants and hotels facing a statewide workforce shortage,” said Justin Winslow, President & CEO of the MRLA.
The unemployment rate for individuals leaving the justice system is 5 times the national average. Programs like HOPES provide skills training, mentoring and job placement services to justice involved individuals, enabling them to re-enter society and build a pathway to financial stability and independence.
“The hospitality industry is known for being a first job opportunity and offering second chances to people from all backgrounds. With more than 30,000 industry job openings currently in Michigan, the HOPES program providing training and employment opportunities to justice-involved individuals is a viable way to support communities while helping operators hire,” said Amanda Smith, Executive Director of MRLA Educational Foundation. “Our partnership with the NRAEF allows us to bring life-changing programs like HOPES to Michigan.”
HOPES partners with Departments of Corrections, community-based organizations, state restaurant associations and workforce entities as part of a community collaborative model. These partner organizations provide case management services and industry-recognized credentials utilizing an NRAEF training framework focused on the competencies needed to enter the restaurant and hospitality industry.
HOPES partners with interested individuals at participating correctional facilities, as well as after release and during parole. Once a HOPES participant completes training, the individual will be placed in a local restaurant or foodservice position and receive follow-up support for one year. Hospitality apprenticeships are also available to participants.
HOPES is 100% funded through a $4 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. This announcement was created by MRLA and NRAEF and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership.
About the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice and lodging community. Founded in 1921 as the Michigan Restaurant Association and now known as the MRLA, the Association represents over 5,000 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 595,000 people and creating nearly $40 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.mrla.org and www.detroitrla.org.
About the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation
The mission of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation (MRLAEF) is to provide invaluable resources and training to Michigan’s hospitality industry which employs nearly 600,000 people and creates $40 billion in annual revenue. The MRLAEF also prepares high school students for the challenges of a career in restaurants and foodservice through ProStart, a nationwide, two-year high school program that unites the classroom and the industry. ProStart students learn vital kitchen skills, including food safety and knife cuts, and important management lessons, such as menu development and marketing. For more information, visit https://mrlaef.org.
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice and lodging community. Founded in 1921 as the Michigan Restaurant Association and now known as the MRLA, the Association represents over 5,000 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 595,000 people and creating nearly $40 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.mrla.org and www.detroitrla.org.
About the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation
The mission of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation (MRLAEF) is to provide invaluable resources and training to Michigan’s hospitality industry which employs nearly 600,000 people and creates $40 billion in annual revenue. The MRLAEF also prepares high school students for the challenges of a career in restaurants and foodservice through ProStart, a nationwide, two-year high school program that unites the classroom and the industry. ProStart students learn vital kitchen skills, including food safety and knife cuts, and important management lessons, such as menu development and marketing. For more information, visit https://mrlaef.org.
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